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Two top adventure cruise lines in merger

Adventure cruise line Lindblad Expeditions is buying Australia-based Orion Expedition Cruises for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 2004, Orion operates a single ship, the 106-passenger Orion, on adventurous,

Founded in 2004, Orion operates a single ship, the 102-passenger Orion, on adventurous, expedition-style sailings from Papua, New Guinea to Antarctica. The ship has a reinforced hull for travel in icy areas and carries 10 heavy-duty Zodiac boats for off-ship exploring.

Founded in 1979 by Sven Lindblad, Lindblad Expeditions is a leader in small-ship adventure cruising. Operating voyages in partnership with National Geographic, it owns five small vessels including the National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Endeavor. The company also charters five other ships.

The Orion will join the Lindblad fleet in March 2014, when it will be renamed National Geographic Orion, Lindblad Expeditions says in a press release announcing the acquisition. The ship will operate new itineraries designed to blend the interests of the U.S. and Australian markets, the line adds.

"We are extremely excited about the opportunity to offer global expedition cruising to Australians, and we intend to bring the full weight of our experiences and that of National Geographic to the Orion organization and the ship," Lindblad president Sven Lindblad is quoted as saying in the company's press release.

Lindblad says the acquisition will increase its passenger capacity by 18%.

Orion is owned by Cruise Ferry Master Fund, which represents the investment division of German bank DVB in partnership with a German private equity group. The Cruise Ferry Master Fund also owns 60% of Lindblad.